19 Ways to Celebrate Friendship on Galentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has long been the realm of romantic love, subpar chocolates, and too-fancy dinners. But thanks to a particularly inspired second-season episode of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, the yearly event has a sister holiday, literally: Galentine’s Day. In the episode, endlessly enthusiastic government employee Leslie Knope hosts a ceremonial brunch for her closest girlfriends, feting them with waffles, frittatas, and goodie bags including a mosaic portrait of each woman and a personalized 5,000-word essay about why she’s so awesome.

We’re not saying you should take it to that level, but we’re all about celebrating female friendships — throughout the year, and especially this month. To get some ideas about how to do that, we tapped the team behind Got a Girl Crush, a blog-turned-print magazine that highlights hero-worthy women doing cool things. Today GAGC’s editorsoffer DIY ways to honor all the ladies in your life — from your close crew to could-be friends to the icons who inspire you. Read on for their suggestions and start scheming your own Galentine’s traditions!

– Get a buddy tattoo (they’re the new BFF heart necklace). Not a fan of needles? Go for a temporary version.

– Send your friend flowers at work. Steer clear of red roses (so she won’t have to explain that they’re not from a suitor) and go instead for something unexpected, like a bouquet of succulents or flowers that signify friendship (freesia, chrysanthemums, hydrangea, and irises, to start).

Honor New Friends, Could-Be Friends, and Colleagues

– Make girl-power valentines for your coworkers featuring the likenesses of your favorite working girls, both real (e.g. Oprah) and fictional (e.g. Melanie Griffith). Add a Lean In quote to take it next level.

– If you want to honor someone creative, share their artwork, writing, or music on social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter — it’s an ego boost that might also earn her legit new followers and fans.

– Put together a girl gang bike ride or field trip to a museum, a movie, an art gallery, a reading, or, really, just about anything.

– Host a “plus-one” brunch or dinner. Invite your girlfriends and have everyone bring a friend they think is amazing. It gives everyone a chance to meet each other and leave with a whole slew of new friends.

Pay Homage to Your Heroes

– Host a book club and have everyone read something by your favorite female author, whether it’s Judy Blume or Joan Didion.

– Do you admire a chef, like Alice Waters, or a food blogger like past GAGC subject Joy the Baker? Host a dinner or potluck using only her recipes.

– Take an icon-inspired road trip. Perhaps you’ve adored Dolly Parton since you were little; why not drive to Dollywood, blasting her hits all the way? (Of course, this takes a bit of planning, so get started now for next year’s Galentine’s Day.)

– Don’t have time for a vacation, but still want an adventure? Take an icon-inspired day trip. If you live in New York City and think Patti Smith is the cat’s pajamas, visit all her old haunts (like the Chelsea Hotel), read Just Kids on the subway, and listen to Horses while you walk around.

– Spend an evening channeling your idol in a creative way. If Kathleen Hanna is your hero, make a zine; if you admire Cindy Sherman, take photographs; if it’s Beyoncé you adore, take a dance class or lay down some vocal tracks.

– Do you love a politician? Rally for her cause! Craft Hillary Clinton flags for your neighbors, raise money for your local councilwoman’s campaign, or make sure all your friends are registered to vote.

– And of course, an idea near and dear to the hearts of the Got a Girl Crush women: Make a blog or magazine to publicly express your admiration. Who knows, you might just get to meet a few of your idols in the process!

Lisa Butterworth is a writer and editor soaking up the eternal sunshine in Los Angeles. When she's not on the hunt for the latest and greatest in girl culture as the West Coast editor of BUST magazine, she's flea marketing, taco trucking, and generally raising a ruckus.

How many cool ideas!
Indeed Valentine"s Day is a friendship celebration not only a romantic one.
How abot hosting an art and dinner party?
Just hire a live model and an art student to just give a bit of info , get art supplies ready, and go for it!
A sushi making dinner-class would be also great.
Night in town , out to a great show? How about a hip and trendy cocktail at a new modern art gallery? Indoor sky diving?
Just enjoy the great peaople in your life and have fun together.

Galentine's Day is an awesome idea! It's a great way to let friends know how much you appreciate their love and support. Several of my close friends and I have organized "DIY" days. We each make a "honey-do" type of list and once a month we descend on one home and knock out all the items we've been meaning to get done around the house (or have been asking hubs to do for years ;-). It's a great time to get together and have fun while being constructive!

Chuckle. Guess I'm not the only one who needs to proofread more than once. I like the idea of Galentine's day. Maybe we can start a new tradition.
Anyhow I knew the word was supposed to be Valentines but the typo did make me look. Good one.

I have always loved how it is done in Japan. There is Valentine's day, where typically girls present their loved ones (can be friend, family, partner) and then there is White Day on March 14 where all the people who were given gifts reciprocate with one of their own! Friends are included, no one feels awkward for not having a gift on hand when given one, and all around very cute.

Yes! Galentine's Day! I sent out some handmade gifts to my gal pals Monday, and can't wait for their response. Besides the gifts, I love picking out holiday cards that speak personally to each of my friends. This year, I went with a Golden Girl's theme. West Sheridan has great cards on Etsy, and ships quickly!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/202111745/funny-card-golden-girls-you-are-the-rose?ref=shop_home_active_2&ga_search_query=golden%2Bgirl

So into making Valentine's Day about friends too! I don't really believe in the commercialised Valentine's thing but LOVE any excuse to buy my friends/boyfriend gifts so typically go a bit mad with the hilarious gifts/cards/chocolate thing. Puns are a must.

Flip the switch on Valentines day! What a great idea. My wedding anniversary is on Valentines day, 14 years. My girlfriend and I have been best friends for 60 years this spring. I think I'll spend the day in the city with her.